Child-resistant overcap

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enclosing containers with a child-resistant overcap and preventing unauthorized access to containers are provided. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an overcap that can be placed onto a container or end closure, and the overcap may require a combination of forces to be removed from the container or end closure. Embodiments of the overcap can have a deflectable center portion where a force applied to the center portion deflects the center portion and causes snap features to release from a container or end closure. A second opposing force may then remove the overcap from the container or end closure. The forces and combination of features restricts the ability of a child or other to access potentially hazardous contents within the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/838,794 filed Apr. 25, 2019,which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, andapparatuses for enclosing containers. More specifically, this disclosureprovides a child-resistant overcap for use with containers that have aseamed end closure and/or curled neck.

BACKGROUND

Modern containers are used to store a variety of products includingbeverages and food contents, and containers can have a variety of shapesand configurations depending on the contents. For instance, beveragecontainers may have a neck that is double seamed with a peripheral curlof an end closure to seal pressurized contents within the container.Other containers may have an open end that is configured to receive adeflectable lid or screw-on lid to enclose non-pressurized contentswithin the container.

While current containers can store pressurized contents, non-pressurizedcontents, wet contents, dry contents, etc., these containers can presenta security issue. Current containers are often easily opened and in somecases easily closed with a lid. However, young children and those withdevelopmental disabilities may not be able to appreciate that thecontents of the container may be hazardous or able to read a warninglabel on the container or closure that indicates the hazardous nature ofthe contents. In addition, current containers and closures are oftenmade from plastic material that is not always recyclable and can takehundreds or thousands of years to decompose.

Due to the limitations and shortcomings associated with currentcontainers and closures, there is an unmet need for a safety closurethat can enclose a container and that is not readily removed from thecontainer to prevent unauthorized access to the contents within thecontainer.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a child-resistant overcap that can beused with a container that has an end closure or a container that has anopen end without an end closure. In some embodiments, the overcaprequires two forces simultaneously applied to the overcap in opposingdirections to remove the overcap from the container. This configurationis counterintuitive to a child or others who cannot appreciate thepotentially hazardous contents and thus prevents unauthorized access ofthe container. The container can be used for hazardous materials,cannabis products, alcoholic products, etc.

It is thus an aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide a center portion of the overcap that can deflect between a firstposition where the overcap is secured to an outermost diameter of an endof a container and a second position where the overcap may be removedfrom the container. In some embodiments, the center portion can bedeflected from the first position to the second position and remain inthe second position. In other embodiments, the center portion can bedeflected from the first position to the second position but thenautomatically deflect back to the first position in the absence of aforce on the center portion. In various embodiments, the same downwardforce is required to both deflect the center portion from the firstposition to the second position and hold the center portion in thesecond position. In some embodiments, a deflection force moves thecenter portion from the first position to the second position, and thena smaller holding force maintains the center portion in the secondposition. In these embodiments, the deflection force can be a firstdownward force and the holding force can be a second downward force. Thedeflection force and/or holding force can also be referred to as adownward force. A subsequent upward force that is larger than thedownward force, or at least the holding force, removes the overcap fromthe container. This combination of forces is not intuitive to a child orothers, and therefore inhibits a child or other from accessingpotentially hazardous materials within the container.

It is an aspect of various embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide at least one snap feature about a perimeter edge of the centerportion of the overcap to selectively connect the overcap to thecontainer or end closure. Slots between adjacent snap features allow theindividual snap features to freely move. The snap features may beconnected to the perimeter edge of the center portion at an angle thatremains substantially constant as the center portion deflects betweenthe first and second positions. As a result, distal or lower ends of thesnap features define an inner diameter when the center portion is in thefirst position that is less than an inner diameter when the centerportion is in the second position. Thus, the distal ends of the snapfeatures can tuck under an outermost diameter of an end of the containersuch as a double seam or a curl when the center portion is in the firstposition. Then, the distal ends of the snap features move outward andrelease from the outermost diameter when the center portion is in thesecond position. Alternatively, the container may not have a distinctoutermost diameter, and the snap features press into a neck or body ofthe container when the center portion of the overcap is in the firstposition.

It is another aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide different configurations of snap features. The snap feature mayhave a first portion connected to the center portion of the overcap atan angle and have a second portion that is connected to the firstportion at an angle. These angles allow the snap feature to secure theovercap to the container or end closure when the center portion is inthe first position and then release the overcap from the container orend closure when the center portion is in the second position. It willbe appreciated that the snap features can have other configurations. Forexample, each snap feature may be a single, continuous portion that isconnected to the center portion of the overcap and allows the snapfeature to provide the selective connection with the container or endclosure. In a further embodiment, the overcap may have a single,continuous snap feature arranged about the perimeter edge of the centerportion. Deflection of the center portion causes the continuous snapfeature to move and provide the selective connection functionality.

It is an aspect of various embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide an overcap that can be made from a variety of materials. Forinstance, the overcap, including the center portion and the snapfeatures, can be made from a metal material such as aluminum or aluminumalloy, a plastic material such High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), LowDensity Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE),Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl), etc.Generally, different materials provide different advantages to theovercap. Metals like aluminum can be recycled an infinite number oftimes while plastics can be recycled only a limited number of times.However, plastics can have a higher resistance to corrosive materialsand other chemicals that can degrade the overcap. In terms of theconstruction of the overcap using different materials, a metal overcapmay have a smaller inner diameter formed by the snap features whencompared to a plastic overcap due to the lower elasticity of metal. Inaddition, the present disclosure describes the structure of an overcap,but for example, embodiments of the overcap can include reinforcingstructures or supporting features that help a metal overcap revert to anoriginal shape. For instance, an inner surface of a snap feature canhave a rib that is oriented along a longitudinal length to help the snapfeature revert back to an original shape and position when a downwardforce is removed from a center portion of the overcap.

It is a further aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide a method of manufacturing and using an overcap as describedherein. The manufacturing process can at least partially depend on thematerial of the overcap. For instance, an injection molding process maybe preferred for a plastic overcap. In this embodiment, the overcap ismolded in a structure as shown in the below figures. Then, the plasticovercap is pressed onto the end closure or neck of a container toenclose the container. Subsequent actions can be performed on theovercap and/or container such as applying a pilfer band to the overcap.In the instance of a metal overcap, the overcap can be impact extruded,cut and bent, etc. In one embodiment, a planar piece of metal is cut ina circular shape where the outer perimeter of the shape corresponds tothe distal ends of the snap features. Then, the slots between the snapfeatures are cut into the piece of metal. The piece of metal ispositioned on the end closure or neck of the container, and a roller orother similar device bends the snap features downward around a portionof the container to both create the shape of the overcap and secure theovercap to the container.

Next, a sequence of forces is required to operate the overcap. First, adownward force is applied to the center portion of the overcap to movethe center portion from a first position to a second position. Thisforce causes the snap feature to move outward from the container, andthis force can be generated by the index finger of a user's hand. Insome embodiments, after initial deflection a lesser holding force isrequired to maintain the center portion in the second position. Next,one or more of the remaining fingers of a user's hand can grasp and pullthe overcap with an upward force that is at least greater than a holdingforce to remove the overcap from the container and access the contentsof the container.

A particular embodiment of the present disclosure is a flexible overcapto selectively prevent the opening of a container, comprising a centerportion that is deflectable between a first upper position and a secondlower position, wherein the center portion is biased toward the firstupper position; a plurality of downwardly-oriented snap featuresarranged at least partially around a perimeter edge of the centerportion, wherein each snap feature of the plurality of snap features hasa distal end, and the distal ends form an inner diameter; and whereinwhen the center portion is in the first upper position, the distal endsform a first inner diameter, and wherein when the center portiondeflects to the second lower position, the distal ends move outwardly toa second inner diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter,wherein, in the second lower position, the overcap can be disengagedfrom the container.

In some embodiments, each snap feature of the plurality of snap featureshas a first portion connected to a second portion at a connection angle.In various embodiments, when the center portion is in the first upperposition, the first portion of each snap feature of the plurality ofsnap features forms a first angle with a horizontal plane betweenapproximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees, and the second portion of eachsnap feature of the plurality of snap features forms a second angle witha horizontal plane between approximately 45 degrees and 90 degrees. Insome embodiments, when the center portion is in the second lowerposition, the first portion of each snap feature of the plurality ofsnap features forms a first angle with a horizontal plane betweenapproximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees, and the second portion of eachsnap feature of the plurality of snap features forms a second angle witha horizontal plane between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees.

In various embodiments, a deflection force moves the center portion fromthe first upper position to the second lower position, and a holdingforce maintains the center portion in the second lower position. In someembodiments, the holding force is less than the deflection force. Invarious embodiments, each snap feature is connected to the centerportion at an angle that remains substantially constant between thefirst upper position and the second lower position.

Another particular embodiment of the present disclosure is an overcapsystem to prevent the unauthorized opening of a container, comprising acontainer having a closed bottom portion, a sidewall extending upwardfrom the closed bottom portion, and an upper portion of the sidewallthat defines an opening end diameter; an overcap having: a centerportion that is deflectable between a first position and a secondposition, wherein, in the first position, the center portion is biasedupwardly and away from the container to form a convex cross-sectionalshape, and, in the second position, the center portion has a concavecross-sectional shape; a plurality of snap features positioned about aperimeter edge of the center portion, wherein distal ends of theplurality of snap features form an inner diameter; wherein, in the firstposition, the distal ends of the plurality of snap features engage theupper portion of the sidewall, and wherein, in the second position, thedistal ends of the plurality of snap features disengage from the upperportion of the sidewall.

In various embodiments, an edge of the center portion forms a positiveangle with a horizontal plane in the first position, and the edge of thecenter portion forms a negative angle with the horizontal plane in thesecond position. In some embodiments, the plurality of snap features isconnected to the center portion at an angle that is substantiallyconstant between the first position and the second position of thecenter portion. In various embodiments, the inner diameter is smallerthan the opening end diameter in the first position, and the innerdiameter is larger than the opening end diameter in the second position.In some embodiments, the inner diameter is larger in the second positionthan the first position, and the inner diameter is less than the openingend diameter in the second position. In various embodiments, a slot isformed between adjacent snap features of the plurality of snap features,and the slot extends from a lower end of adjacent snap features of theplurality of snap features to a point that is offset from an upper endof adjacent snap features of the plurality of snap features.

Yet another particular embodiment of the present disclosure is anovercap system to prevent unauthorized opening of a container,comprising a container having a closed bottom portion, a sidewallextending upward from the closed bottom portion, and an upper end havingan end diameter; an overcap having: a center portion that is deflectablefrom a first position and a second position in response to a downwardforce; at least one snap feature positioned about a perimeter edge ofthe center portion, wherein distal ends of the at least one snap featureform an inner diameter; wherein, in the first position, the innerdiameter is smaller than the end diameter such that the at least onesnap feature engages the upper end, and wherein, in the second position,the inner diameter is larger than the end diameter such that the overcapis removable from the upper end in response to an upward force appliedto the at least one snap feature.

In some embodiments, the upward force is greater than the downwardforce. In various embodiments, the center portion remains in the secondposition after removal of the downward force. In some embodiments, thecenter portion reverts to the first position after removal of thedownward force. In various embodiments, the system further comprises apilfer band extending around the at least one snap feature to hold theat least one snap feature against the upper end, wherein the pilfer bandbreaks in response to a predetermined force caused by the center portionmoving from the first position to the second position and the at leastone snap feature moving outward. In some embodiments, the system furthercomprises an end closure seamed onto the upper end, wherein the endclosure has a tab configured to deflect or remove part of the endclosure to create an opening. In various embodiments, the system furthercomprises a sealable cover positioned on the upper end, wherein thesealable cover is selectively removable to provide access to contents inthe container.

Although generally referred to herein as a “bottle,” “beverage bottle,”“metallic beverage bottle,” “metallic container,” “beverage container,”“aluminum bottle,” “can,” and “container,” it should be appreciated thatthe methods and apparatus described herein may be used with containersof any size or shape and that are formed of any material, including, butnot limited to metal, plastic, and glass containers including, withoutlimitation, beverage cans and beverage containers. Further, as will beappreciated by one of skill in the art, the methods and apparatus of thepresent disclosure may be used for any type of container and are notspecifically limited to a beverage container such as a soft drink orbeer can.

The terms “metal” or “metallic” as used hereinto—refer to any metallicmaterial that may be used to form a container, including withoutlimitation aluminum, steel, tin, and any combination thereof. However,it will be appreciated that the apparatus and methods of the presentdisclosure may be used with threaded containers formed of any material,including paper, plastic, and glass.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein,are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, Band C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “oneor more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B andC together.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities,dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.”

The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more ofthat entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “atleast one” can be used interchangeably herein.

The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereofherein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,”“comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be usedinterchangeably herein.

It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C.,Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means”shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and allof the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or actsand the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in theSummary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description,Abstract, and Claims themselves.

The Summary is neither intended, nor should it be construed, as beingrepresentative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure.Moreover, references made herein to “the present disclosure” or aspectsthereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure and should not necessarily be construed as limiting allembodiments to a particular description. The present disclosure is setforth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in theattached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as tothe scope of the present disclosure is intended by either the inclusionor non-inclusion of elements or components. Additional aspects of thepresent disclosure will become more readily apparent from the DetailedDescription, particularly when taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutea part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosureand together with the Summary given above and the Detailed Descriptiongiven below serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. Incertain instances, details that are not necessary for an understandingof the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive mayhave been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the presentdisclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that thedrawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of a child-resistant overcap inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of a child-resistant overcap inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the child-resistantovercap in FIG. 1 showing a first position and a second position of acenter portion of the overcap in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a further cross-sectional side elevation view of thechild-resistant overcap in FIG. 1 showing a first position and a secondposition of a center portion of the overcap in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is another cross-sectional side elevation view of thechild-resistant overcap in FIG. 1 showing a first position and a secondposition of a center portion of the overcap in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a snap feature of achild-resistant overcap in a first position in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a snap feature of achild-resistant overcap in a second position in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of the child-resistant overcap in FIG.1 with a first downward force applied to the overcap in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the child-resistant overcap in FIG.1 with a first downward force and a second upward force applied to theovercap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of a container in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of another container in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the presentdisclosure the following list of components and associated numberingfound in the drawings is provided herein:

Number Component 10 Container 12 Body 14 Neck 16 Overcap 18 CenterPortion 20 Snap Feature 22 Slot 24 First Portion 26 Second Portion 28Longitudinal Axis 30 First Position 31 Pilfer Band 32 Second Position 34Horizontal Plane 36 First Angle 38 Second Angle 40 First Inner Diameter42 Outermost Diameter 44 Second Inner Diameter 46 First Position Angle48 Second Position Angle 50 First Portion Angle 52 Second Portion Angle54 First Downward Force 56 Second Upward Force 58 Flared End 60 CurledEnd

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure has significant benefits across a broad spectrumof endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification andthe claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with thescope and spirit of the disclosure being disclosed despite what mightappear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referringto the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in thepertinent arts most closely related to the present disclosure, apreferred embodiment that illustrates the best mode now contemplated forputting the disclosure into practice is described herein by, and withreference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of thespecification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail withoutattempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications inwhich the disclosure might be embodied. As such, the embodimentsdescribed herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to thoseskilled in the arts, may be modified in numerous ways within the scopeand spirit of the disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a side elevation view of a container 10 and achild-resistant overcap 16 is provided. As shown, the container 10 has abody 12 that transitions into a neck 14. An end closure may be doubledseamed onto the end of the neck 14 in some embodiments. In otherembodiments, a curl or flared end may be formed at the end of the neck14 without seaming an end closure onto the neck 14. The overcap 16 has acenter portion 18 and a resilient liner or sealing material can beconnected to an underside of the center portion 18 to provide a sealagainst the container 10 seal contents within the container 10. At leastone snap feature 20 is arranged around a perimeter edge of the centerportion 18. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the snapfeatures 20 may be directly connected to the center portion 18, and inother embodiments the snap features 20 may be connected to one or moreintermediate portions that are connected to the center portion 18.Further, in various embodiments, a continuous snap feature 20 may extendaround the entire perimeter edge of the center portion 18.

Each snap feature 20 in FIG. 1A has a first portion 24 and a secondportion 26 connected at an angle. Moreover, adjacent snap features 20form a slot 22 that allow individual snap features 20 to freely moveinward and outward. The slots 22 extend from a lower end of the snapfeatures 20, past the second portions 26, and partially into the firstportions 24. This arrangement allows the snap features 20 to moveoutward, but the portion of the first portions 24 that connect toadjacent portions promote the return of the snap features 20 to theinward position. However, it will be appreciated that embodiments of thepresent disclosure encompass embodiments, with slots 22 that extend onlypartially into the second portions 26 or extend fully to the top end ofthe first portions 24.

Some embodiments may include a snap feature with a single portion ormore than two portions. In addition, the container 10 and the overcap 16are generally oriented along a longitudinal axis 28. In addition, one ormore components of the overcap 16 may be made from metal that hassufficient rigidity to enclose an end of a container, but flexibleenough to transition between positions to be selectively removed fromthe container. A structure such as a peripheral curl may also addrigidity to the container.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a side elevation view of a container 10 and achild-resistant overcap 16 with a pilfer band 31 is provided. In someembodiments, a pilfer band 31 may be included to indicate whether thecontainer 10 has been opened or compromised. For instance, the pilferband 31 may have a serrated lateral line that breaks when subjected to apredetermined force. Initially, the pilfer band 31 secures the overcap16 in a first position to prevent access to the container. Duringoperation, the center portion 18 deflecting from a first position tosecond position, and the snap features 20 moving outwardly can imposethe predetermined force on the pilfer band 31 to remove or break thepilfer band 31. The pilfer band 31 may be completely removed whensubjected to the predetermined force, and a user will appreciate that anovercap 16 without a pilfer band 31 has been opened at least oncebefore. Similarly, the pilfer band 31 may break along the serrated linesuch that the part of the band 31 below the line remains with thecontainer 10, and the part above the line is removed. Therefore, a userwill appreciate that an overcap 16 and container 10 that retains only aportion of the pilfer band 31 has been opened at least once before.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a cross-sectional view of the container 10 andthe child-resistant overcap 16 is provided. The center portion 18 of theovercap 16 can be slack material in a dome shape that is deflectablebetween a first position 30 shown with a solid line and a secondposition 32 shown with a broken line. In some embodiments, the centerportion 18 can deflect from the first position 30 to the second position32 when subjected to a downward force and remain in the second position32 in the absence of the downward force. Similarly, the center portion18 can deflect from the second position 32 to the first position 30 andremain in the first position 30 in the absence of a force. However, inother embodiments, the center portion 18 can deflect from the firstposition 30 to the second position 32 when subjected to a downward forceand remain in the second position 32 only if the downward force isapplied to the center portion 18. Otherwise, the center portion 18 isbiased toward the first position 30 and will deflect back to the firstposition 30 from the second position 32 in the absence of the downwardforce. Biased can include a linear or non-linear response.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a further cross-sectional view of thecontainer 10 and child resistant overcap 16 is provided where the firstand second positions 30, 32 of the center portion 18 of the overcap 16are described in relation to a horizontal plane 34 that is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis 28. In the first position 30, anedge of the center portion 18 forms a first angle 36 with the horizontalplane 34 that is positive such that the center portion 18 is generallypositioned above the horizontal plane 34. In the second position 32, anedge of the center portion 18 forms a second angle 38 with thehorizontal plane 34 that is negative such that the center portion 18 isgenerally positioned below the horizontal plane 34. It will beappreciated that in some embodiments, the first angle 36 may be betweenapproximately 5 and 35 degrees, and the second angle 38 may be betweenapproximately −5 and −35 degrees. In various embodiments, the firstangle 36 may be approximately 20 degrees, and the second angle may beapproximately −20 degrees. It will also be appreciated that the firstand second angles 36, 38 may be the same or different in variousembodiments. Further, it will be appreciated that the midpoint of thecenter portion 18 may deflect by a distance of between approximately 0and 2 inches as center portion 18 moves between the first position 30and the second position 32. In a preferred embodiment, the midpoint ofthe center portion 18 may deflect by a distance of between approximately0.9 and 0.5 inches.

Next, distal ends of the snap features 20 define an inner diameter thatchanges between the first and second positions 30, 32. As shown in thefirst position 30, the distal ends of the snap features 20 define afirst inner diameter 40 that is less than the outermost diameter 42 ofan end of the container, which may be defined by, for example, a curledend or an end closure. As shown in the second position 32, the distalends of the snap features 20 define a second inner diameter 44 that isboth larger than the first inner diameter 40 and the outermost diameter42 of an end of the container. In the second position 32, the overcap 16may be removed from the container 10 with an upward force applied to,for example, the lower ends of the snap features 20. In someembodiments, the second inner diameter 44 is smaller than the outermostdiameter 42 and an additional force is required to deflect the snapfeatures 20 and pull the overcap 16 off of the container. Thecombination of forces required to remove the overcap 16 from thecontainer 10 serves the childproof aspect of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, another cross-sectional view of the container10 and the child-resistant overcap 16 is provided. As shown, the centerportion 18 of the overcap 16 connects to the snap features 20, and thisconnection forms a first angle 46 when the center position 18 is in thefirst position 30 and forms a second angle 48 when the center position18 is in the second position 32. In some embodiments, the first angle 46is substantially the same as the second angle 48. It will be appreciatedthat the term substantially can indicate a 0% to 5% relative differencein the angles 46, 48 as measured in degrees. It will be furtherappreciated that the term substantially can indicate a less than 2%relative difference in the angles 46, 48 as measured in degrees. Inaddition, the angles 46, 48 may each be between 45 and 135 degrees insome embodiments. In various embodiments, the angles 46, 48 are eachapproximately 90 degrees. The term approximately can indicate a lessthan 10% relative difference. Moreover, the angles 46, 48 may each bebetween 90 and 180 degrees in some embodiments. In various embodiments,the angles 46, 48 are each approximately 135 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a cross-sectional view of a snap feature 20 ofan overcap is provided. In this figure, the center portion 18 of theovercap is in a first position 30, and the first portion 24 and thesecond portion 26 of the snap feature 20 can be described relative tohorizontal planes 34 a, 34 b. In some embodiments, an angle 50 betweenthe first portion 24 and a horizontal plane 34 a is betweenapproximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees. In various embodiments, theangle 50 is approximately 75 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle 52between the first portion 24 and a horizontal plane 34 b is betweenapproximately 45 degrees and 90 degrees. In various embodiments, theangle 52 is approximately 60 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a cross-sectional view of a snap feature 20 ofan overcap is provided. In this figure, the center portion 18 of theovercap is in a second position 30, and the first portion 24 and thesecond portion 26 of the snap feature 20 can be described relative tohorizontal planes 34 a, 34 b. In some embodiments, an angle 50 betweenthe first portion 24 and a horizontal plane 34 a is betweenapproximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees. In various embodiments, theangle 50 is approximately 45 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle 52between the first portion 24 and a horizontal plane 34 b is betweenapproximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees. In various embodiments, theangle 52 is approximately 85 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, a side elevation view of the container 10 andthe overcap 16 is provided. A first downward force 54 has been appliedto the center portion 18 of the overcap 16 to deflect the center portion18 to a second position 32. Thus, the distal ends of the snap features20 define a larger inner diameter as described above. It will beappreciated that the force required to deflect the center portion 18 toa second position 32 and the force required to maintain the centerportion 18 in the second position 32 may be different. For example, theforce required to maintain the center portion 18 in the second position32, when the center portion 18 is biased toward the first position, maybe less than the force needed to deflect the center portion 18 to thesecond position 32.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, another side elevation view of the container10 and the overcap 16 is provided. A second upward force 56 is appliedto the underside of the overcap 16 to lift the overcap 16 off of thecontainer 10. In some embodiments, the second force 56 is applied whilethe first force 54 maintains the center portion 18 in the secondposition 32. While the second force 56 is depicted as applied to anunderside of the overcap 16, it will be appreciated that the secondforce 56 may be applied to other portions of the overcap 16, such as theouter surfaces of the snap features 20. Generally, the second force 56is oriented in an upward direction along the longitudinal axis 28, andthe first force 54 is oriented in an opposing downward direction alongthe longitudinal axis 28. In embodiments where the center portion 18 isbiased toward the first position 30, the two forces 54, 56 can beapplied simultaneous. This combination of forces makes the overcap 16difficult to remove from the container 10 or end closure by a child orother who cannot appreciate potentially hazardous contents stored in thecontainer 10. In some embodiments, the second upward force is greaterthan the first downward force such to remove the overcap 16 from thecontainer 10. In some embodiments, the second upward force is simplygreater than a holding force that maintains the center portion 18 in thesecond position, and not necessarily greater than a force that initiallydeflects the center portion 18 from the first position to the secondposition. In one example of operation, a user could depress the centerportion of the overcap 16 with a downward force from an index finger,and then pull with an upward force on the overcap 16 with a largerupward force from the other fingers or thumb to remove the overcap 16from the container 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, cross-sectional side elevation viewsof different containers 10 are provided. The container in FIG. 5A has abody 12, a neck 14, and an end 58 that flares outwardly. An end closuremay be double-seamed onto the end 58 to enclose contents within thecontainer 10, and the contents may be pressurized. The double seam candefine the outermost diameter of the end of the sealed container wherethe overcap may selectively attach. End closures can have a variety offorms and features. In one example, the central portion of the endclosure is a pull top where a user pulls a tab to remove all or part ofthe central portion to access the contents of the container 10. Anovercap as described herein can be used to selectively cover and/or sealthe container 10.

The container 10 in FIG. 5B has a body 12, a neck 14, and a curled end60. This container 10 does not receive an end closure and storesnon-pressurized contents. The curl 60 defines the outermost diameter ofthe container 10 where the overcap may selectively attach. A peelable,tin, or foil cover can be positioned on top of the curled end 60 to sealthe contents within the container. A user can remove the cover to accessthe contents of the container 10. An overcap as described herein can beused to selectively cover and/or seal the container 10. It will beappreciated that the container 10 may have a variety of shapes andconfigurations such as pressurized, non-pressurized, wet contents, drycontents, etc.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limiting of the disclosure to the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art. The embodiments described and shown in the figures werechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of thedisclosure, the practical application, and to enable those of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of thoseembodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, referencesmade herein to “the present disclosure” or aspects thereof should beunderstood to mean certain embodiments of the present disclosure andshould not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to aparticular description. It is to be expressly understood that suchmodifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure, as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible overcap to selectively prevent theopening of a container, comprising: a center portion that is deflectablebetween a first upper position and a second lower position, wherein saidcenter portion is biased toward said first upper position; a pluralityof downwardly-oriented snap features arranged at least partially arounda perimeter edge of said center portion, wherein each snap feature ofsaid plurality of snap features has a distal end, and said distal endsform an inner diameter; and wherein when said center portion is in saidfirst upper position, said distal ends form a first inner diameter, andwherein when said center portion deflects to said second lower position,said distal ends move outwardly to a second inner diameter that islarger than said first inner diameter, wherein, in said second lowerposition, said overcap can be disengaged from said container.
 2. Theovercap of claim 1, wherein each snap feature of said plurality of snapfeatures has a first portion connected to a second portion at aconnection angle.
 3. The overcap of claim 2, wherein when said centerportion is in said first upper position, said first portion of each snapfeature of said plurality of snap features forms a first angle with ahorizontal plane between approximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees, andsaid second portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snapfeatures forms a second angle with a horizontal plane betweenapproximately 45 degrees and 90 degrees.
 4. The overcap of claim 2,wherein when said center portion is in said second lower position, saidfirst portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap featuresforms a first angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 30degrees and 60 degrees, and said second portion of each snap feature ofsaid plurality of snap features forms a second angle with a horizontalplane between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees.
 5. The overcapof claim 1, wherein a deflection force moves said center portion fromsaid first upper position to said second lower position, and a holdingforce maintains said center portion in said second lower position. 6.The overcap of claim 5, wherein said holding force is less than saiddeflection force.
 7. The overcap of claim 1, wherein each snap featureis connected to said center portion at an angle that remainssubstantially constant between said first upper position and said secondlower position.
 8. An overcap system to prevent the unauthorized openingof a container, comprising: a container having a closed bottom portion,a sidewall extending upward from said closed bottom portion, and anupper portion of said sidewall that defines an opening end diameter; anovercap having: a center portion that is deflectable between a firstposition and a second position, wherein, in said first position, saidcenter portion is biased upwardly and away from said container to form aconvex cross-sectional shape, and, in said second position, said centerportion has a concave cross-sectional shape; a plurality of snapfeatures positioned about a perimeter edge of said center portion,wherein distal ends of said plurality of snap features form an innerdiameter; wherein, in said first position, said distal ends of saidplurality of snap features engage said upper portion of said sidewall,and wherein, in said second position, said distal ends of said pluralityof snap features disengage from said upper portion of said sidewall. 9.The overcap system of claim 8, wherein an edge of said center portionforms a positive angle with a horizontal plane in said first position,and said edge of said center portion forms a negative angle with saidhorizontal plane in said second position.
 10. The overcap system ofclaim 8, wherein said plurality of snap features is connected to saidcenter portion at an angle that is substantially constant between saidfirst position and said second position of said center portion.
 11. Theovercap system of claim 8, wherein said inner diameter is smaller thansaid opening end diameter in said first position, and said innerdiameter is larger than said opening end diameter in said secondposition.
 12. The overcap system of claim 8, wherein said inner diameteris larger in said second position than said first position, and saidinner diameter is less than said opening end diameter in said secondposition.
 13. The overcap system of claim 8, wherein a slot is formedbetween adjacent snap features of said plurality of snap features, andsaid slot extends from a lower end of adjacent snap features of saidplurality of snap features to a point that is offset from an upper endof adjacent snap features of said plurality of snap features.
 14. Anovercap system to prevent unauthorized opening of a container,comprising: a container having a closed bottom portion, a sidewallextending upward from said closed bottom portion, and an upper endhaving an end diameter; an overcap having: a center portion that isdeflectable from a first position and a second position in response to adownward force; at least one snap feature positioned about a perimeteredge of said center portion, wherein distal ends of said at least onesnap feature form an inner diameter; wherein, in said first position,said inner diameter is smaller than said end diameter such that said atleast one snap feature engages said upper end, and wherein, in saidsecond position, said inner diameter is larger than said end diametersuch that said overcap is removable from said upper end in response toan upward force applied to said at least one snap feature.
 15. Theovercap system of claim 14, wherein said upward force is greater thansaid downward force.
 16. The overcap system of claim 14, wherein saidcenter portion remains in said second position after removal of saiddownward force.
 17. The overcap system of claim 14, wherein said centerportion reverts to said first position after removal of said downwardforce.
 18. The overcap system of claim 14, further comprising a pilferband extending around said at least one snap feature to hold said atleast one snap feature against said upper end, wherein said pilfer bandbreaks in response to a predetermined force caused by said centerportion moving from said first position to said second position and saidat least one snap feature moving outward.
 19. The overcap system ofclaim 14, further comprising an end closure seamed onto said upper end,wherein said end closure has a tab configured to deflect or remove partof said end closure to create an opening.
 20. The overcap system ofclaim 14, further comprising a sealable cover positioned on said upperend, wherein said sealable cover is selectively removable to provideaccess to contents in said container.